MSI X870 Gaming Plus WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI X870 Gaming Plus WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the AM5 socket and X870 chipset, catering to users who want a capable platform for current-generation AMD processors. It includes Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity, and supports RGB lighting with an easy BIOS reset mechanism and dual BIOS for added reliability. A three-year warranty backs the board.

On the memory side, the board accommodates up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with standard speeds reaching 5600 MHz and overclocked profiles going up to 8200 MHz. Expansion options include one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, while storage is handled by three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors with RAID 0, 1, and 5 support. The rear I/O provides a Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB 4 40Gbps port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output, and a single RJ45 ethernet jack, complemented by 7.1-channel audio across three connectors.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 along with all previous Wi-Fi generations down to Wi-Fi 4, covering a broad range of wireless standards
Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports on the rear I/O provide high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding peripherals
Dual BIOS and an easy BIOS reset function add a layer of resilience against failed updates or misconfiguration
Three M.2 sockets combined with four SATA 3 connectors offer substantial storage expansion options
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 8200 MHz across four slots, with a maximum capacity of 256GB
Eight fan headers give considerable flexibility for managing cooling across the system

Cons

No USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Gen 1 Type-C ports on the rear I/O outside of the higher-spec USB 4 and Thunderbolt connections
ECC memory is not supported, limiting suitability for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No S/PDIF Out port, which may be a drawback for users relying on digital optical or coaxial audio output
RAID 10 and RAID 0+1 configurations are not supported, reducing options for certain storage redundancy setups
No DisplayPort output, leaving HDMI 2.1 as the only video output option on the rear panel

Who is this for?

This board suits builders putting together a capable AM5-based desktop system who want up-to-date wireless connectivity, given its full Wi-Fi 7 support alongside Bluetooth 5.4. The combination of a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, three M.2 sockets, and DDR5 memory with overclocking headroom up to 8200 MHz makes it a solid fit for users who want room to grow their storage and memory configuration over time. It also works well for those who need flexible USB and high-bandwidth peripheral connectivity, thanks to the Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports, and for builders who value system resilience through features like dual BIOS and easy BIOS reset.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who depend on ECC memory for data-sensitive or error-intolerant workloads will find this board inadequate, as ECC support is absent. Those who require multiple video output options will also be limited, since the board only offers a single HDMI 2.1 port with no DisplayPort or other display connectors. Additionally, users with specific audio routing needs who rely on a digital S/PDIF output, or those who require advanced RAID configurations such as RAID 10 for storage redundancy, will find this board lacking in those areas.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	X870
form factor	ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✓
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	243.8 mm
width	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI X870 Gaming Plus WiFi is built around the AM5 socket and X870 chipset, housed in a standard ATX form factor measuring 304.8 mm wide by 243.8 mm tall. It accommodates a single CPU and has no integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity covers a wide range of standards from Wi-Fi 4 through to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), paired with Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX audio codec support is not included. The board outputs video via an HDMI 2.1 port, includes RGB lighting, and supports easy overclocking. Reliability features include dual BIOS and a clear CMOS function for straightforward BIOS resets, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8200 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board supports DDR5 memory across four slots in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256GB. Standard RAM speeds top out at 5600 MHz, while overclocked profiles can reach up to 8200 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	1
USB 4 40Gbps ports	1
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	1
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O offers a varied USB lineup, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, four USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, and a USB 4 40Gbps port, with no USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Gen 1 Type-C ports present separately. There is also a Thunderbolt 4 port, while Thunderbolt 3 is absent. Video output is handled solely by an HDMI port, with no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors available. Networking is covered by a single RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on this board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	2
M.2 sockets	3
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity includes three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for storage, while SATA 2 and mSATA are not available. For expanding USB ports via headers, the board provides two USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors, two USB 3.0 connectors, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connector, and four USB 2.0 connectors. Cooling is well catered for with eight fan headers, and a TPM connector is present for security module support. There are no U.2 sockets on this board.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	2
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board provides one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for primary expansion cards, along with two PCIe x1 slots for smaller add-in cards. There are no PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots present.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
audio connectors	3

The board supports 7.1-channel audio output through three analog audio connectors. There is no S/PDIF Out port available.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✕
Supports RAID 5	✓
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The board supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5 configurations for storage array flexibility, while RAID 10 (1+0) and RAID 0+1 are not available.

Final Verdict

The MSI X870 Gaming Plus WiFi is a well-specified AM5 motherboard that covers the essentials for a modern DDR5-based desktop build while offering meaningful extras for users who want future-ready connectivity. Its Wi-Fi 7 support, Thunderbolt 4, and PCIe 5.0 slot position it as a forward-looking option within the ATX form factor, and practical reliability features like dual BIOS add genuine day-to-day value. The absence of ECC support, limited video output options, and a modest rear USB-C selection mean it is not without trade-offs, but for builders focused on a capable, well-connected AM5 platform with strong wireless and peripheral flexibility, it presents a coherent and complete package.